Green Heron (Butorides virescens)
A relatively small bird of the family of herons breeding around Montreal and the shyest one, less frequently to be spotted. Feeds on fishes and frogs at lakes, ponds and rivers. The population around Montreal migrates to Mexico in winter.
- 🇫🇷 Héron vert
- 🇩🇪 Grünreiher
- 🇲🇽 Garcita verdosa
Characteristics
- Length: 45-54cm
- Weight: 250-450g
- Wingspan: 76-86cm
How to Identify
A distinguishable characteristic is the greenish-black cap and greenish back. Neck and side are red-brown.
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Where and When to Spot
I have been looking for this species for a long time and finally spotted one at a pond at the North tip of Island of Montreal.
Observations by Park and Season
| Location | Spring | Summer | Autumn | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parc de la Frayère | - | x | - | - |
| Parc des Rapides, Lachine | - | x | x | - |
"-" indicates no observation. It may not necessarily mean though that the species is absent from the park during that season.